Vacuum cleaner



March 7, 1933. F. RIEBEL, JR

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Sept. 9, 1929 A TTORNEY\5 Patented Mar. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK RIEBEL, JR., OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AIR-WAY ELECTRIC- APPLIANCE CORPORATION, OF TOLEDO,

OHIO, A CORPORATION OF'DELAWARE VACUUTVI CLEANER Application filed September 9, 1828. Serial No. 391,124.

This invention, as indicated, relates to vacuum cleaners and more especially to cleaners of the type employing a suction nozzle which is rotatable with respect to the body of such Vacuum cleaner. It is an object of this invention to provide a means for connecting a suction nozzle or other floor tool commonly used with vacuum cleaners to the suction tube of such cleaner in such manner that the nozzle or other floor tool may be rotatable with respect to the body of the cleaner and also readily removable therefrom to facilitate the use of various floor tool attachments with the same cleaner without disturbing the suction tube or other suction chamber projections thereof. Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a vacuum cleaner embodying the principle of my invention; Fig. 2 is an axial sectional view of a suction nozzle and suction tube showing the principle of. my invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional detail taken on a plane substantially indicated by the line 33, Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is a sectional detail taken on a plane substantially indicated by the line 44, Fig. 3;

Referring more specifically to the drawing and more especially to Fig. 1, the vacuum cleaner here shown consists of a suctionchamher 1, motor element 2,'dust collecting and air filtering element 3, tubular handle 4, suction tube 5, rotatable valve 6 for alternatively connecting said suction chamber 1 with either the tubular handle 4 or the suction tube 5 and a suction nozzle 7 attached to the end of said suction tube 5. In Fig. 2 is shown a suction nozzle 8 connected to the end of suction tube 5 although it is understood that any floor tool commonly used with vacuum cleaners might be substituted in its place. Said suction tube 5 has integrally formed therewith and outwardly extending therefrom a flange 9 and associated therewith and surrounding the lower end of said suction tube 5 is a coupling ringlO. The upper end of the suction nozzle 8 which is preferably circular in form has attached thereto a coupling element 11 which has a reduced end 12 to engage the circular opening iii-said suction nozzle, said re duced end 12 having apertures 13 formed therein adapted to receive the rivets 14 for securing said coupling element 11 to said suction nozzle 8. Said coupling element 11 has a flange 15 outwardly extending therefrom to threadcdly engage the coupling ring 10 surrounding the suction tube -5. The transverse surface of said coupling element 11 has an annular ridge or projection 16 extending therefrom, the height of said projection 16 being slightly greater than the thickness of the circular flange 9 of suction tube 550 as to permit the rotation of the suction tube 5 with its associated flange 9 with respect to the suction nozzle 8 when the said securing ring 10 is rigidly secured to the coupling element 11 by means of the threaded flange 15. In practice, it is found to be advantageous to construct the element 11 and the coupling ring 10.01 a substantially hard metal such as cast iron or steel so as to provide a maximum resistance to wear.

Attached to the suction nozzle 8 by means of a screw 17 is a locking element 18 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, said locking element 18 adapted to engage a recess 19 formed in the coupling. ring 10, said recess 19 formed at such a point that it will lie opposite said screw 17 and locking member 18 when said coupling ring is brought to rest against the annular ridge 16.

The suction tube 5 may be bent as at 20 to allow for variations in the position'of the suction nozzle 8 withrespect to the main body of the sweeper although this bent end may be omitted and the suction tube as a straight shaft united to the suction nozzle as-hereinbefore explained.

It will thus be seen that a construction is bad in which suction nozzlesor other floor tools are connectible to the suction tube or suction chamber of vacuum sweepers in a manner permitting of rotation of the nozzle or like appliance with respect to the sweeper. Additionally, if desired, such nozzle or floor tool may be readily removed from such suction tube to permit a floor tool of a different type to be attached thereto.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regardsthe mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means he employe I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. For a vacuum cleaner, a tubular suction member provided at one end with an outwardly extending annular flange, a tubular element including an axially projecting flange and a radially inwardly projecting shoulder in fixed relation to said axially projecting flange, a retaining collar threaded upon said element, said collar including a radially inwardly projecting flange spaced from said shoulder to form an annular recess, said outwardly extending flange being freely rotatable in said recess, and a substantially Z shaped securing element havinga portion detachably secured flatly against the cylindrical face of the tubular element, a portion extending radially outwardly therefrom, and a portion projecting parallel to said first mentioned portion, the collar being provided with a recess to receive said last mentioned portion.

2. For a vacuum cleaner, a tubular member provided at one end with a radially outwardly extending annular flange, a tubular element including an axially projecting annular flange and a radially inwardly projecting shoulder in fixed position relative to said axially projecting annular flange; and a retaining collar secured to and receiving the end portion of said element and including a ra; dially inwardly projecting annular flange in contact with the edge of said axially projecting flange and thereby spaced from the shoulder to form an annular recess, said outwardly projecting flange being freely rotatable in said recess.

3. The combination of a tubular member having at its end a radially outwardly projecting annular flange, a tool including a circular neck opening, a tubular coupling element secured in said neck openin ,including an axially projecting annular fl lnge and a radially inwardly projecting shoulder in fixed position relativejto said axially projecting annular flange; and a retaining collar secured to and receiving the end portion of said element and including a radially inwardly projecting annular flange in contact with theedge of said axially projecting flange and thereby spaced from the shoulder to 91 an annular recess, said outwardly projecting flange being freely rotatable in said recess.

4. For a vacuum cleaner, a tubular member provided at one end with a radially outward- 1y extending annular flange, a tubular element including an axially projecting annular flange and a radially inwardly projecting shoulder in fixed relation to said axially projecting flange and spaced from the end thereof, and a retaining collar threaded externally upon said element and including aradially inwardly projecting annular flange and areleasable element securing said collar against rotation and maintaining said flange fixedly spaced from said shoulder a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the flange on the tubular member, said retaining collar flange and shoulder receiving between them i the tubular member flange without exerting pressure thereagainst.

Signed by me this 6th day of September, 

